Go Green Wedding Tip: Rent and Borrow More Items

Mother of the Bride, is your daughter earth friendly and hoping to incorporate some green strategies into her wedding celebration? If so, along with some of her other ideas, I’ve got a super simple and economic idea to add to the list. Simple plus economic! Can’t be that, right?

One eco-friendly wedding tip, MOB, is renting and borrowing more items. Brides can rent everything from gowns to jewelry to vases. Some vendors even offer rentals as they respond to the economy and to customers’ buying habits.

I’m glad that borrowing wedding items has become more widespread. When you stop and think about it, so many items can be borrowed—or rented. Be sure to read my “borrowing” post for lots of ideas.

MOB, go ahead and make a list of things to borrow or rent and then also ask your vendors for any rentals they offer. They may offer something you hadn’t yet put on your list. Then after the wedding, be ready and willing to loan the items you actually bought. Other budget-strapped MOBs will thank you!

*You might also like to read Wedding Savings Tip: Borrow!, Wedding Planning Options: Rent Bridesmaids Dresses, and Post-Wedding Inventory.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.) *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Flickr photo by FestivitiesMN, Creative Commons License

Savings Tip for Wedding Expenses: Borrow

All MOBs’ ears perk up when they catch wind of a way to save some money, and I’m sure you’re no exception, Mother of the Bride. Be sure not to overlook the value of today’s tip: Borrow when you can!

You’ll be amazed at how many dollars you can save by borrowing. And you’ll be equally amazed at how many items can fall into this category.

Some items you might try to borrow include cake knife and server sets, champagne buckets, white rose garland, hurricanes and other glassware for candles, a wedding arch, pew bows, extension cords, flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillows, and plant stands. If the bride doesn’t mind, you might even be able to borrow a veil, headpiece, or bridal slip. After all, she needs something borrowed for the big day! And you might even be able to borrow a small purse to match your ensemble, MOB.

So MOB, make a list of items and then check with friends and family. Someone might have just what you need. Be especially sure to check with friends who’ve hosted weddings themselves recently. One of the things I was happy to do during my post-MOB days was loan items to fellow MOBs eager to save dollars where they could.

Be bold, MOB. Ask to borrow when you can!

*You might also like to read Savings Tip for Bridal and Bridesmaids Bouquets,  Quick Tip: Getting the Most Bang for Your MOB Buck , and Making Her Beautiful—Bridal Primping on a Budget.

*I hope this slightly revised encore post from April 2014 is a help to you today, MOB!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Photo by Flowers Photography

Cake Knife and Server Sets for Both Cake Tables

0326*Since my husband will be on Fall Break later this week, I’ll be skipping my midweek post. See you again next Monday!

Mother of the Bride, add this to your “to-do” list: find two cake knife and server sets. That’s right, you’ll need nice sets for both the main cake table and the groom’s cake table. It’s easy to forget about needing a set for the groom’s cake so put it on your list now and save yourself from a last minute cake-serving crisis. Heaven knows you want to avoid as many last minute glitches as possible, right?

I would suggest borrowing both sets or perhaps buying one beautiful set as a shower gift and then borrowing another set. The one you buy as a gift could be used for the main cake table, and the other set for the groom’s cake table.

Asking the groom’s mother if she has a set that could be used for the groom’s cake is an excellent way to help her feel included. If she doesn’t have a set herself, she may be able to borrow a set. If you’re trying to borrow both sets, you can ask other family members and friends or even check with your caterer to see if she has a set available for your use. You could also check with your church.

So MOB, line up your cake-cutting utensils now—and then prepare to enjoy the yumminess of both cakes on Wedding Day!

*You might also like to read Cake-Cutting Wedding Day Tip, Wedding Savings Tip: Borrow!, Make the Mother of the Groom Part of the Team, and Mothers of the Bride Pay It Forward.

*My annual Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is now underway. All subscribers, new and old, will be included in the draw for a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Sign-up is to the right under “Free For You.” See my home page for details!

*Photo by Chris Humphrey Photographer